Hoping to prevent those who broke the law from returning to crime, the state will establish a special task force in Queens designed to provide support services to formerly incarcerated individuals.
Governor Andrew Cuomo announced on Tuesday the creation of a state-supported County Re-Entry Task Force for Queens County, the 20th organization of its kind in the Empire State, which will assist prisoners re-entering society after serving their sentences.
It’s part of $10 million in funding that the state will allocate to governmental agencies and nonprofit programs that help former prisoners statewide rebuild their lives.
The task force will assess and address the needs of every former inmate in Queens in helping them rebuild their lives and steer clear of crime. Former felons, including those on probation, out on parole or performing court-ordered community services, will be connected to various support initiatives including substance abuse and mental health treatment; job training, placement and skill development; and cognitive behavioral programs.
Each County Re-Entry Task Force is co-chaired by local officials and representatives of the state Department of Corrections and Community Supervision. Victim advocates, substance abuse treatment providers and professionals from the law enforcement, social services and mental health communities are also part of the task force.
“These investments play a critical role in ensuring those seeking to turn their lives around have access to the tools and resources needed to succeed,” Cuomo said in a statement. “Expanding these services will be able to help more at-risk New Yorkers break the cycle of recidivism and incarceration, helping them to lead more productive lives and increasing the safety of our communities.”
